Romero stars for Man United in 0-0 draw at Southampton

During his pre-match interview Southampton manager Puel said he was hoping that win against Middlesbrough can help them finish their season on a strong note.

"I hope to play Sergio in the final and hopefully we don't have problems with the keepers".

Worringly for Jose Mourinho, ahead of next week's clash with Ajax, Marouane Fellaini was forced off late on with what looked like a serious injury. "I am happy for the second half because we played good football with good chances to win the game which is important for us". Apart from that nothing, it's all good.

Sergio Romero produced a man of the match performance to deny the Saints what could have been a one-sided victory.

"If we go on and finish the season strongly and get ourselves in that eighth position, then we can look back at it and say it's been an OK season", said the Northern Irish midfielder.

"I think everyone knows about the big carrot that comes with our final game, the Europa League final, but it's all about that preparation now and making sure that in training and in each game, we're as prepared as we can be".

They have won the League Cup in Jose Mourinho's first season as manager and will face Ajax in the final of the Europa League, the only tournament they have never won, on May 24.

A frustrated Mourinho would like to have felt able to make more changes to United's team, but insists he will do exactly that for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, the timing of which he remains unhappy about.

"We are sixth, it doesn't matter what". Their last game of the season comes at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, May 21.

"So after the moment Palace beat Hull and Hull are relegated, and Swansea is safe, in that moment the match has to be Saturday, in any country in the world it would be Saturday".

"I'm here [in English football] already seven years; I never saw any detail of trying to care about the English teams involved in European competitions".

"I never saw that with Chelsea, I never saw that with Manchester United, with (Champions League semi-finalists) Manchester City past year".

"It's frustrating for me".

"If I only look at his line-ups and team formations all season, then he is playing with nearly two different teams", he explained.

Mourinho said: "I repeat the same - thank you Michael Oliver".

United could have opened the scoring against the run of play just after the hour mark, only for Juan Mata to shoot over following more fine hold-up play from Rooney.